Silvermax developer for Rollei-S films

ThomasPauly · 2015-01-05T15:13:18+00:00

Hat schon einmal jemand den Silvermax-Entwickler für die Rollei-S- (Aviphot-) Filme eingesetzt und kann Empfehlungen für Verdünnung / Zeit geben? ? Hinterg...

ThomasPauly

Has anyone ever used the Silvermax developer with Rollei-S (Aviphot) films and can offer any recommendations regarding dilution ratios and processing times? ? Background: As high-contrast aerial photography films, Rollei-S materials tend to develop undesirably high densities in the highlights when used with many standard developers. The Silvermax developer is designed to prevent precisely this (at least at a dilution of 1+29 and with Silvermax film). So if you value the increased red sensitivity of the Rollei-S series (flattering skin tone reproduction; incandescent lighting shots without loss of sensitivity; limited infrared effect) or wish to utilise the outstanding fine grain of the 80S, these films could form a dream pairing with the Silvermax developer. That is my assumption, at any rate. Is there any practical experience with this combination? ? Regards ? tepe

Olivinyl

Hello Tepe, ? To limit the density of Aviphot and surveillance films at the higher end of the scale, you’ll need to use a different developer. I haven’t worked with Silvermax developers yet, but I’ve carried out an extensive series of tests with AGFA ASP 400S using various developers. The density curves for the ASP 400S, Rollei 400S, Superpan 200 and RR80s are almost identical. ? Uwe (piu58) recommended a “short-stand development” for the RR80s (and similar films) in D74 DC or Rollei RHS DC: http://aphog.de/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=28138 I tried this myself and the result was much, much better than in XTOL and Rodinal. ? However, I’ve had the best results with A49 Atomal at 1+1. The density curve is almost identical to the ideal curve. The downside is that A49 ‘smooths out’ the film grain, i.e. it dissolves the silver grains. A49 is a fine grain developer, not a sharpness developer. There is also the option of using A49 at 1+2; this results in further dilution of the “grain-dissolving sulphite” and produces slightly more pronounced sharpness. ? Stand development in Rollei RHS DC yields considerably sharper results than A49, but the curve is not as smooth as with A49 (densities increase from Zone 8 onwards). ? Best regards, Oliver

GeorgK

I too would highly recommend A49 / 1+1 for the Rollei 80S. The ‘washed-out’ grain isn’t an issue here, as it’s too fine to be noticeable anyway. The same applies to sharpness; this combination easily brings out the best in a good 50mm lens. Should the images nevertheless appear out of focus or soft, it is because, in the absence of optimal sharpness from the outset (mediocre lens, camera shake, etc.), any subsequent sharpening effect is negated by, for example, visible grain or edge effects. Technically good images, however, scratch at medium format in their visual impact (partly due to the very ‘creamy’, glare-free highlights). Realistically, 64–80 ASA is the range; underexposure helps, as usual, with the highest demands on sharpness, provided one can do without that last bit of shadow detail. The negatives look slightly thinner by nature than with ‘classic’ films; one should not be misled by this. R80S in A49 can easily hold its own against a Tmax100 in Xtol, and surpasses it in some respects. Personally, I even prefer its image quality. Looking back, it’s a shame that Agfa couldn’t or wouldn’t transfer this level of technology to its consumer black-and-white films. € Georg

Olivinyl

Examples: ? I just want to show here how the various developers work with aerial photography film / surveillance film. ? Agfa ASP 400S in A49 1+1 ? [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] ? ? Agfa ASP 400S in D74 stand development ? [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] ? ? Agfa ASP 400S in Xtol 1+1 ? [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] ? ? Agfa ASP 400S in Rodinal/Adonal 1+50 ? [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] ? ? ? Best regards, Oliver ? ? Once again, a huge thank you to Dr Otto Beyer for this fantastic Excel application!

ThomasPauly

I have now answered for myself the original question posed in this older thread, namely whether Silvermax developer might be an ideal partner for the Rollei Retro 80 S: [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] € The characteristic curve flattens out in the highlights, as one would expect from Silvermax 1+29; overall, however, the curve is very S-shaped. You can still get usable shots, though... [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] [ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND] € ...but of course, this isn’t the dream combination I was hoping for. Other forum users report good results with Atomal 49 1+1 – for the time being, this developer is probably the better choice if you want to make use of the Rollei Retro 80S’s unique characteristics whilst at the same time smoothing out its characteristic curve, which is typical of aerial photography film. € Best regards € tepe